Egg!: A Dozen Eggs, What Will They Be? Unfold Each Page and You Will See!

The front of this handsome paper-over-board volume poses an intriguing query: ``A dozen eggs. What will they be? Unfold each page and you will see!'' In Wood and Stilwell's luxuriantly illustrated fold-out book, exotic eggs sit in their habitats, waiting to hatch under the reader's fingers. When youngsters pull a page, an egg ``cracks'' open to reveal a mother animal with her babies: a Nile crocodile, peacock butterfly, spiny anteater, duck-billed platypus or dogfish shark. (The 12th egg harbors an unexpected late arrival from 65 million years ago.) Efficient, accordion-style folds allow hidden surprises on both sides of the page. Richly detailed borders surrounding each egg vignette provide visual clues while the text on opposite pages offers factual information. The final ``How big?'' section will help readers understand the relative size of the animals and their eggs. Rendered in a gentle palette, Stilwell's finely textured artwork invites repeated encounters with this ingeniously executed, copiously informative book. Ages 3-8. (Apr.)